Back on the Decadence Tour October 17, 2006

Today we visited the Chateau de Versailles built by Louis the XIV while almost depleting the countries coffers. Built in 1687 and occupied by all of France’s sovereigns until Napoleon III in 1870 and with the accompanying Grand Trianon (the royal family’s place for relaxation), Marie Antoinette’s Palace (Petit Trianon) and 23 hectares of gardens compose one of the world’s most important historical sites. The chateau complex encompassed 7800 hectares at the time it was constructed and was surrounded by a wall 43 kilometers (27 miles) long. The site was originally used as a hunting lodge that was built by Louis XIII, but was ENLARGED when his son decided to move the royal court of 6000 persons from Paris. The palace overlooks the Grand Canal (1.6 kilometers x 62 meters) which was designed in 1668 to reflect the setting sun and at one time had a fleet of nine ships, one brandishing 32 canon, all for the enjoyment of the court. The palace was enlarged again with the construction of the Petit Trianon, in 1761 under Louis XV, and was given to Marie Antoinette by Louis XVI with these words “Since you love flowers I am offering you a bouquet, it is the Petit Trianon”. Don’t call your local florist next Valentine’s Day for this bouquet. The delivery charge alone would bankrupt most countries. Even though a lot of the furnishings and decorations have been lost since the time of the Revolution the palace and grounds still sends the message intended by Louis XIV; power and prestige. Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were forced to leave the palace in 1789 during the opening days of the Revolution and return to Paris. They were never to return.

Like the Russian palaces we visited the palace speaks of times when monarchs reigned unchecked and the needs of their countries were not always their primary concern.

Versailles is a thirty minute train ride south of Paris central and easy to find and visit. We were fortunate that Holly spotted a visitor’s information center where we bought our tickets. The queue at the palace was at least thirty minutes long when we arrived, but with tickets in hand we sauntered past and began our tour immediately.

We left the Chateau walking through the city of Versailles but decided to stop at a quaint little restaurant for lunch named Mc Donald’s. Hey you can only eat so much French food!

On the train back to Paris we were treated to a singer of mellow tunes complete with recorded accompaniment before he passed his hat along the car. No police stopped this entertainer so I guess it was the r(a)pertoire that got the kids thrown off the train when we first arrived in Paris last Friday.

Once back in town we caught a late matinee of “The Devil Wears Prada” as we need a sight seeing break which we followed by people watching at a sidewalk café. A classic Parisian pastime to complete our day of decadence.